Healthcare systems around the world are grappling with rising costs, high demand, lack of resources, and overburdened hospitals. Despite several advances in healthcare, as well as incremental policy fixes, the system has proven inadequate for a multitude of reasons laid bare by an unprecedented pandemic. In this scenario, calls for an overhaul of the system are not misplaced. It is time to reimagine and create a fresh new strategy that shifts focus from doctor visits and hospitalisations and prioritises enhancing patients’ quality of life and reducing avoidable disabilities. This shift in focus will not only reduce the strain on healthcare systems but also provide patients with more personalised and convenient healthcare solutions. In a country like India, where population volumes intensify the burden on the healthcare system, out-of-hospital care could prove to be the much-needed panacea. Out-of-hospital refers to any treatment provided outside of a conventional hospital environment. It could be a continuum of care, support for daily living, or healthcare provided by an intermediary, rehabilitation center, or hospice. Additionally, care provided by non-medical carers, skilled nurses, specialist rehabilitators, such as therapeutic service providers, or even teleconsultations, and care at home could all fall under this category.

Out-of-hospital care options are fast becoming the healthcare of choice in urban metros. Their rise in prominence has been catalysed by tech advancements, which in turn, has led to the mushrooming of several start-ups in the segment. Cognizant of health equity value and improving patient experience, the sector is growing and innovating at an incredibly fast pace.

Significance of Out of Hospital Care in 2023

To manage diseases and to improve quality of life, out-of-hospital care could significantly contribute to healthcare in 2023 and beyond in multifarious ways:

• At-home and in-patient rehabilitation will not only reduce competition for available beds in exhausted, overworked hospitals, but it will also reduce the probability of readmission thereby eliminating these high costs and hospital-acquired infections. This shift in focus also has the potential to minimize avoidable disabilities, leading to improved quality of life for patients.
• The COVID-19 waves proved that out-of-hospital infrastructure in India could help cope with a significant percentage of non-critical and even some critical patients. As there was a scarcity of resources in hospitals, out of-hospital facilities saved many lives.
• Out-of-hospital care focuses on quality of life, something that tends to be ignored in hospital setups that focus on acute interventions and life-saving actions. Many studies have proven that lifestyle changes and a positive focus on well-being can help patients recover faster. This is a recognition that is rapidly gaining traction among consumers. Furthermore, research has established that a familiar and comforting environment, such as one’s home, can have a positive impact on one’s mental health, contributing to better overall health outcomes and a higher quality of life.
• At-home care also tends to be more affordable and comfortable when compared to prolonged hospitalisations both for the patient as well as caregivers. With reduced financial burdens and less exhausting caregiving routines, recovery outcomes are often better for the patients as well as their families. Moreover, at-home care can enhance the overall quality of life by reducing stress, increasing comfort, and providing a positive and caring environment for recovery
• The accessibility and safety of out-of hospital care especially for less critical or recovering cases is also a significant win. The elimination of waiting periods for doctors, more personalised care routines, reduced medication errors, and decreased risk of falls in the elderly minimising the occurrence of preventable impairments and incapacities–all contributing to a safer and healthier experience.

Opportunities for specialised players in the rehab market:

The growing calls for well-equipped transition care and assisted living facilities, have experts assert that there is a growing market for specialised rehab that cater to non-critical patients, senior citizens as well as people seeking to improve their general well-being. A recent report published by Redseer has estimated that India’s physical rehab market will grow at a CAGR of 15.5 per cent, reaching USD 35 Billion by FY2028.

The complete infrastructural collapse of hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic was a stark pointer to the urgent need for an alternative system of healthcare for future emergencies. Out-of-hospital healthcare, be it at home or in specialised facilities are the need of the hour for all immuno-compromised patients eliminating the risk of contracting infections in hospitals.

Furthermore, there is a rising need, and therefore an opportunity, for senior assisted care and rehabilitation facilities for elderly citizens who need both physical and emotional support. Significantly, this generation of the elderly wants to avoid burdening their families with caregiving. The quality of the assistance sought is thus changing for this demographic, which now has more financial freedom, is digitally savvy, and wishes to maintain their independence and enjoy a healthy, tension-free life.

Entrepreneurs in the healthcare sector are rethinking rehab facilities of the future. They are now being designed as comprehensive care solutions that not only meet the needs of senior patients but also those of healthy elderly who want to live the good life while preserving their self-autonomy. With the pandemic experienced lockdowns, many NRI families settled abroad also want to ensure a comfortable lifestyle for their parents back home. To meet these expectations, there are growing investments in designing products that seek to ease healthcare woes.

Tech-induced acceleration in rehab solutions

Healthcare systems around the world are investing hugely in research and development. The application of Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Machine Learning, Robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) is set to take the advances in predicting, diagnosing, monitoring, and treating patients up by several notches. These technologies are enabling medical practitioners to monitor their patients and preempt any major health-related emergencies. Powered by IoT technology, wirelessly connected wearable devices, symbiotic robots, 3D-printed prosthetics, mood monitors and telehealth services built into fully connected rehab residences of the future are likely to empower people to live healthier and more comfortable lives in their homes for longer.

With such an outlook, powered by innovations and technology, out-of hospital care is very likely to disrupt the future of healthcare. The shift towards out-of-hospital care can greatly improve patients’ quality of life by providing them with more personalised, affordable, and comfortable healthcare environments. It is crucial for the medical community to embrace these developments as opportunities, rather than as competition to make healthcare truly inclusive and accessible to all.

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